6 Weeks and Run is Almost Ready

[MelindaK]

Hubby worked on the run all day today and it is almost done, he has more work to do tomorrow. My Peeps are going to be going outside. I have some questions.

Grit: Decomposed granite that used for landscaping be thrown in run for Peeps? I have some sand in a wash, can that be used? What do you do, throw on ground?

Food: Can I start feeding them scraps? (Veggie scraps and such?)

I figure since they will be out eating weeds and such, that now is the time to introduce the scrap foods.

Do I keep food and water in coop or move outside? Peeps have been in coop with light on at night while feather out, well they are feathered out!

Yes, I am a little nervous!

Hubby still needs to finish the coop, so he won't let me post any pictures until he is done (he is a perfectionist, plumb and level run).

 

[lilchick]

I have pens with gravel laid down to keep the pen from becoming a muddy mess. My chickens will scratch thru it to get grit. I have used sand for chicks but think it may not be large enough for full grown birds. But it couldn't hurt to give them some to try. I do not know about granite?
I also give mine scraps.. Leftover veggies and salads. No meats. What they do not eat in a day I clean up......
As far as feeders and the waterer I prefer to keep in the coop. Less worry about wild birds and small critters finding it... Those pesky things can carry disease to your flock...
Would love to see pics when hubby is ready! good luck

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

My runs have all sizes of natural girt available from sand to granite pebbles - I let the chickens pick what they want.
Mine get kitchen scraps from 6 weeks on (meat included chcikens are omnivores).
I keep the light on in the coop just incase temps drop until 8 weeks, but move food and water outside - gradually I put it right in the door way at first, then move it to the middle of the run, then to the end which I feel encourages them to use the whole run.
Don't be nervous! Chickens have survived in the wild forever . . . and post pics!

 

[MelindaK]

Thanks! Today was a bit of a bust. They all looked out the door, then the one I suspect to be a rooster pecked one out the door. I put them out, and they all huddled on one side of the run. So I put them back in the coop and left the door open and they stayed in all day, looking out the door. They were funny!

I did notice that grainte was the grit sold at the feed store. I am going to put some decomposed granite down in the run (I have 5 tons that I need to get spread out for our landscaping). That should help keep down the mud in the run.

Thanks for the advice. I was wondering when I should turn off the light in the coop at night!!

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

turn off the light when they don't need it anymore for warmth. just depends where you live and how feathered out they are, just use your best judgement.